Farmers market to head outside

MILLERTON —  In a sure sign that summer is on the way, the Millerton Farmers Market, sponsored by the North East Community Center (NECC), is moving back on Saturday, May 20, to its outdoor home in Veteran’s Park at the corner of Dutchess Avenue and Main Street after spending the winter months in the  hospitable shelter of the Millerton United Methodist Church at that same location.

Hours will continue to run every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with many of the same vendors offering everything from fruits and vegetables to meat, cheese, breads, other baked goods and even prepared dishes, depending on what is available throughout the changing season.

The complete list of the 10 to 15 weekly participants is not available as of press time, as those interested in selling may still apply at neccmillerton.org/farmers-market where the full listing will eventually be posted.

Director Paul Bengston said the first opportunities for sales will go to those whose products are “organic and sustainable,” but others are welcome, with some being “full-season” with others rotating in on a scheduled basis.

A community table will again be  available for local not-for-profit groups, and special events will provide variety. “Well-behaved pets” on leashes are welcome.

Bengston is overseeing the behind-the-scenes operation as the NECC seeks a new manager for the “day of” activities. Two paid food-access interns from the NECC teen program complete the market’s team.

Among other duties, they help with the children’s table and distribute the tokens that shoppers obtain through credit cards or the SNAP program and then use when making purchases from individual vendors.

SNAP, which stands for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program,  is managed through the Berkshire Agricultural Ventures Market Match and now provides dollar-for-dollar matches up to $30  for a total of $60, which helps make the healthful local products more accessible to all.

For further information, call Bengston at 518-789-4259.